Bluebell Flowers: Beautiful and Whimsical Perennials

Updated on November 26, 2016

Common Bluebell

Image: Common Bluebell Flower | Source

Once a year, for a few days only, magic happens...

Bluebell flowers grow from North America to North Africa and are a favorite flower, no matter which side of the Atlantic they grow on. The flowers are seen in gardens and along pathways, gracing meadows and glens, tucked away in shady forest areas and carpeting woodlands.

Bluebells poke their heads out in spring, usually between April and May and are a welcome messenger of warmer weather. Bluebells can bloom through the summer months, if conditions are right.

The flowers are enchanting, shaped as they are into captivating bells and painted in sky blue. Whether you come across one or many, they are sure to catch your eye.

Delicate little bluebells could almost make one believe in fairies and magical things, and it comes as no surprise that the bells are believed by some to actually call fairies to their meetings.

If you are fortunate enough to encounter these flowers, your spirits will be surely lift. Indeed, how much better our world has been and is, blessed by lovely bluebell flowers.

Source

There's a little flower up yonder, the last bud from the multitude of bluebells that clouded those turf steps in July with a lilac mist.

~ Nelly Dean in Wuthering Heights

— Emily Bronte

So Very Delicate and Pretty

Bluebells Add Color To Woodlands | Source

Is a Fairy or a Sprite Living Inside?

Photo: Bluebells | Source

Perhaps, another reason these flowers are so charming is that they are shaped like little bells.

Bluebells are also called:

Auld man's bell

Blaklocka

Bush tucker (Australian bluebell)

Calverkeys

Campanula

Common bluebell

English bluebell (Europe, British Isles, most often found in woods)

Harebell

Jacinth

Ring-o'-bells

Scottish bluebells

Spanish bluebells (Europe, British Isles, most often seen in gardens)

Virginia bluebell (Canada, U.S.)

Wild hyacinth

Wood bells

Electric-Blue Floral Bells Make Striking Contrast Against the Green

Image: Bluebells-Wanstead Park | Source

Different Types of Bluebells

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, grows in woodlands and in other shady places

Hyacinthoides hispanica, also known as the Spanish bluebell shows up in gardens and can grow out in the countryside

Hyacinthoides x massartiana is a common hybrid

Lingering in Hollows

Bluebells Growing in Shady Hollow | Source

The Bluebell is the sweetest flower

That waves in summer air:

Its blossoms have the mightiest power

To soothe my spirit's care.

— Emily Bronte

Sky-Blue Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta--Hue is Striking

Photo: Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta | Source

How Many Types of Bluebells Around the World?

There are 11 known types of bluebells around the globe. DNA studies have helped scientists to identify and classify bluebells.

Fast Facts

Bluebells are a perennial and, as such, are usually grown from a bulb, although seeds are available.

They've been spotted growing in shady areas, such as woodlands, under trees and under bracken and even near sea cliffs.

While they are common in the British Isles they do not grow in all places in Britain.

Hybridization has occurred, which, it is believed, has impacted natural bluebells, due to invasive Spanish bluebells.

Take a Walk in A Bluebell Wood...

Bluebell Woods

Actual bluebell woods are found in all parts of Great Britain, in Ireland and in other locations in Europe.

Bluebells make their appearance in areas where new leaves form a canopy above. Bluebells thrive in shady areas and will carpet the forest floor, suppressing competing ground cover, but for all that, lending a charming effect.

Bluebells Create a Bluish-Purple Mist in Ancient Woodlands

Image: Bluebells in Bigsweir Wood | Source

There is a silent eloquenceIn every wild bluebellThat fills my softened heart with blissThat words could never tell.

Bluebells and Climate Change

While bluebells herald the start of spring they may give clues to climate change. Is hybridization altering genes and flowering time or is climate change responsible?

Protection of Bluebell Woods and Bluebell Walks

Efforts are in place to protect bluebell woods along with other ancient woodlands and to identify and preserve bluebell flowers for future generations.

In Britain, through the months April-June, the Bluebells Walks Season is geared at encouraging people to participate in up to 100 Bluebell Walks, in an effort to spot and identify bluebells growing in Britain.

The Bluebell Walks season is designed to help preserve bluebells in Great Britain. This effort has been initiated in concert with the Natural History Museum, aimed at gaining a better understanding of factors that are impacting on the bluebell.

Those who participate in Bluebell Walks are instructed to try to find different types of bluebells and include their findings in an online survey conducted by the Natural History Museum. This data will be used to chart where different types of bluebells are flowering.

Free Bluebell Walks

Some of the best displays of bluebells can be found in National Trust woodlands and in parks in Great Britain, in Wales, and in Ireland.

Bunker's Hill Wood

Daisy Hill Wood

Duncliff Wood

Forest of Dean

Foxley Wood

Heartwood Forest

Let's Go for a Meander in the Bluebell Woods

Image: Bluebells near Wenchford | Source

Protecting Bluebells for Future Generations

The common bluebell is so revered, it is now protected in the United Kingdom. The National Trust is active in preserving the Nation's bluebells for posterity and many hectares of woodland are now protected.

Additionally, gardeners are cautioned against planting Spanish or hybrid bluebells near native populations.

Scottish Bluebell--Campanula Rotundifolia

Image: Scottish Bluebell | Source

Scottish Bluebell

Not to be forgotten, the Scottish bluebell is another variety that has a clearly defined bell and is every bit as lovely as its counterpart. It is also known as the Harebell. This is the best known Canadian species and it is found from the Yukon Territory to the Atlantic provinces.

In Canada, bluebells flower somewhat later, making an appearance from June through August.

This type of bluebell has a clearly defined "hood."

Bluebells Under Threat

Unfortunately, beloved bluebells are so treasured by gardeners that they've become an income source to those who flout the law and dig them up and sell them to those eager to plant them in home gardens. This practice, according to Wildlife Trusts, has imperiled the bluebells. It can take over 100 years for a bluebell wood to recover and become established. It is a criminal offense, in fact, to remove bluebells. And one can see why.

How to Plant Blubells

Wahlenbergia Stricta

Source

Native Australian Bluebell

Another beautiful bluebell is called the Australian bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta). This flower does not have the classic bell shape but is the most lovely shade of pale blue.

These little gems are edible and can be used to pretty up punches or for decorating sweets.

Comments 17 comments

I so appreciate all the enthusiastic comments. Nice to know there are other bluebell lovers out there.

Athlyn Green 3 years ago from West Kootenays Author

Hi Stephanie and Dirt Farmer,

Thank you for stopping by!

Wow! Rereading all the great comments. I'm so glad this Hub touched everyone on the same level.

StephanieBCrosby 3 years ago from New Jersey

These images have convinced me to consider adding them to the garden.

The Dirt Farmer 3 years ago from United States

What a wonderful hub! It's like taking a scenic walk, you so gently lead your reader. A real delight.

handmadebybheng 4 years ago from Cubao , Quezon City

wow.. we could use with some of these pretty flowers here in the Philippines :) Here flowers don't grow here like these do.. they are very nice :)

Athlyn Green 4 years ago from West Kootenays Author

Hi Jas,

This Hub discusses when bluebells bloom and you can purchase flower seeds from the capsules.

Jas 5 years ago

Hey, this is gorgeous! Where can I find these bluebells? Also when the best time of year for them? Thanks!

Athlyn Green 6 years ago from West Kootenays Author

I've always loved bluebells. I remember being a tiny child and studying a bluebell and thinking it was almost magical.

Years later, bluebells crept into my poetry.

tim-tim 6 years ago from Normal, Illinois

I love my Bluebells! In fact, I have a hub about the flowers I have in my yard. I love especially the rare wild flowers. I have Triliums and they are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing with all the nice pictures. It made me want to play with the dirt now:)

Varenya 6 years ago

Wondrous images!!! I love greatly the one of the wood with the soil litterally covered by flowers: amazing! Thank you for the hub, Athlyn Green!!!

Athlyn Green 6 years ago from West Kootenays Author

I would love to travel over to the U.K. and see the bluebell woods--they must be so lovely. I can see why bluebells are protected.

D.A.L. 6 years ago from Lancashire north west England

Hi,Athlyn Green beautiful hub on a beautiful subject. Here on the west coast of England there are many bluebell woods which are a joy to see. However, some of our woods are under threat from the Spanish bluebell a garden escape which cross pollinates with the native and eventually takes over. Thank you for sharing this hub with us.

Athlyn Green 6 years ago from West Kootenays Author

Hi Purple,

Aw, thank you. The world is a better place, cause bluebells are in it!

Purple Perl 6 years ago from Bangalore,India

Thanks Athlyn for transporting me into the woods feeling the bluebells with my bare feet! I loved it! Feast for the eyes too,soothing & refreshing!!!